- phagocytosis
- engulfment
- filter feeding
- grazing
- predation
- particulate detritivory
Operational definition
Acquisition mechanism.
The capture and internalization of discrete particles, cells, or pieces of biological material before their complete molecular breakdown.
It includes:
- phagocytosis;
- engulfment;
- filter feeding;
- particle grazing;
- ingestion of prey;
- ingestion of particulate detritus.
The particle may subsequently undergo intracellular or digestive-compartment breakdown.